The River Deben Byelaws (1980, see link at bottom of page) govern activity afloat, and include speed limits that apply on various parts of the river at specified times of the year.  Everyone who uses the river should be familiar with this legislation as well as the COLREGs (the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).

Speed restrictions apply to pleasure boats using the river between May 1st and September 30th:

• a speed restriction  of 10 knots applies to the area of the river extending from Felixstowe Ferry to the sluice outlet at Kings Fleet.
• a speed restriction of 8 knots applies to the area between Falkenham Creek and Wilford Bridge.

Click the link to see a full copy of the 1980 River Deben Byelaws

Click the link to see a full copy of the 1988 Felixstowe Shoreline Byelaws